Since starting to play mini rugby at the age of 5, Abby Blackburn's dream has been to play rugby for England.

Her dream is now one step closer as she has just heard that she has got through to the second round of trials for the U19 England Women's team.

At the end of last month she went to open trials at Leeds University; concurrent southern trials were held at Newbury RFC. The final 46 girls from the whole country have now been selected for a weekend of intensive training at Coventry's Broadstreet RFC on September 27 & 28 where the full contingent of England coaches and selectors will be present to make the final selection of 23-25 players. Aged 16, Abby will be one of the youngest players at Coventry and her achievement - even if she gets no further this year - is remarkable.

Abby's rugby has been developed by Darlington Mowden Park where, last season, she captained the U16 Girls' Team and also captained the Durham County and North East Regional sides. She is still involved in U18 Girls' Rugby at Mowden but is also training regularly with Thirsk Sharks who are a Premiership 1 Women's Club.

Everyone at Mowden Park is behind Abby and she is delighted that a long standing member of the Club, Steve Errington, has secured sponsorship for her through his Aycliffe and Newcastle based company Skanem UK Ltd.

Steve, who is Commercial Director of Skanem, said: "It is great to see someone who has worked so hard to start to be recognised and achieve the success she deserves. It's a pleasure to be able to help her."

Abby, a former pupil at Hummersknott School, has just started her A level studies in PE, English, Psychology, General Studies and Leisure & Recreation at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington.